2012 UCSD Triton Invitational
WWPA Weekly Release (PDF)
2012 Photo Galleries
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University women's water polo team is appearing in the 2012 UC San Diego Triton Invitational this weekend in La Jolla, Calif. The Broncos, who have played 6 of 11 games thus far against ranked opposition, open up the weekend against No. 9 Indiana Saturday morning.
Santa Clara (2-9; 1-2 WWPA) is pressing through an early-season stretch that has seen a number of key players miss time with injuries. However, the Broncos picked up a win last week; given a lift from freshman Ashleigh Bandimere who scored a season-high five goals against Fresno Pacific in Monterey. Bandimere allowed Santa Clara to jump to out to leads of 5-3 and 9-4 and SCU went on to win 10-4. She was chosen as The Santa Clara Player of the Week. She also netted a goal in last Friday's loss to No. 12 Michigan.
"Our best games this season have started with our defense," said Santa Clara head coach Keith Wilbur. "When everybody commits to getting stops, and we really work off each other, our team can play great defense and it feeds into our offense. One of our main focuses at this point in the season is to play great defense every game."
A big part of the Bronco defense is senior 2M Laura Espinosa, who had four earned ejections this past weekend, which tied Meg Zimmerman's '10 school-record mark of 183. When it comes to scoring, sophomore Claire Eadington (pictured) and Bandimere each lead the Broncos with 13 goals apiece. Eadington has continued her outstanding all-around play, leading the team in goals, assists, and steals while ranking 2nd in earned ejections.
"We are working a lot on our 6 on 5 this week," says Wilbur. "We have done a good job of drawing kick outs in most of our games, but we need to convert more of those power plays into goals."
"This is the only tournament we play in during the year which is a championship-style format," added Wilbur. "The level of competition is always strong at this tournament, and we usually have some really good matchups, especially on the second day."
Once the Broncos return from San Diego, the team will start a five-game homestand from February 18 through March 4.
THE SCU SCHEDULE @ 2012 TRITON INVITATIONAL
Championship Format - complete tournament schedule
No. 9 Indiana vs. Santa Clara
Saturday, February 11 - 11:10 a.m.
Triton Pool - La Jolla, Calif.
Santa Clara vs. No. 12 LMU or Cal State East Bay
Saturday, February 11 - 4:30 p.m. or 5:50 p.m.
Triton Pool - La Jolla, Calif.
Santa Clara vs. TBA
Sunday, February 12 - TBA
Triton Pool - La Jolla, Calif.
Santa Clara vs. TBA
Sunday, February 12 - TBA
Triton Pool - La Jolla, Calif.
